Alert 99 – 35 SCBA Facepiece Safety Notice
WHAT HAPPENED:
A safety design defect has been found with the exhalation valve on the MSA (Mine Safety Appliances Company) Ultra Elite® SCBA facepiece. The exhalation valve can be opened for cleaning. The button that opens it protrudes above the surrounding facepiece. As a result, the button can accidentally contact the user’s chin, push the exhalation valve open, and permit outside air to enter, possibly causing injury or death.